Will Mogae ever be called Sir?

| Wednesday March 26, 2008 00:00

 

Knighthood is a British honour established by King George V in 1917. The Most excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) is an order of the chivalry, which includes five classes in civil and military divisions (Knight Grand Cross-GBE, Knight Commander-KBE, Commander-CBE, Officer-OBE and Member-MBE). According  to available information on the British honour system, only two highest ranks (GBE and KBE) entail admission into knighthood, an honour allowing the recipient to use the title 'Sir' for male or dame(females) before their names.

'British honours are thought by the public to be awarded on merit and on the basis of exceptional achievement or service. The Queen chooses the recipients on the advice of the Prime Minister and other relevant ministers. Honorary awards to foreigners are recommended by the Secretary of the State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.'

When asked whether the British would maintain their tradition and bestow honour on President Mogae before he leaves office, British deputy Commissioner in Gaborone Najma Bouakaze-Khan said she would not comment on such matters because they were a closely-guarded secret.

'This is usually confidential and I would not want to comment on it,' she said.
Khan said these honours were usually conferred by the Queen on some foreign leaders on state visits to the United Kingdom (UK), as the case was with President Quett Masire. The honours are usually bestowed on people who have made tremendous contributions in their communities and field of work and to a great extent improve the British public life.
She said Botswana remains an icon in the eyes of the British because of her strong democratic principles.

'Bilateral relationships between the two governments remain very positive. Botswana uses the British model of democracy and we look at Botswana as one of those countries that we can learn from,' she said.

There is a school of thought that as the former colonial power, the UK has been overtaken by other countries in its links with Botswana. Unlike in the past when the UK was the provider of training in the fields of education, other educational partners have since come on board such as the United states, Australia, South Africa and even Asian countries such as India and Malaysia.

In matters of trade, the United States, Japan, Germany and a host of other countries, have overshadowed the British.
'In the globalised world this is something that we encourage that Botswana should have more partners other than just ourselves,' Khan said.

 
She said they have no reason to thaw their relationship with Botswana.
Khan dismissed the assertion that the part relocation of the Diamond Trading Company activities from London to Gaborone could have impacted negatively on relationships.
'That was a private sector initiative, which had nothing to do with government.
'We are generally positive about this movement in that it would create jobs for Batswana.

 
'Our relationships are positive. As much as there is nothing given about this award, if it is not awarded, there shouldn't be anything negative about it because the two countries have maintained good relationships.'

For his part, Presidential Spokesperson Jeff Ramsay said they have not been informed of any award that Mogae would get from the British.
' There isn't even any expectation here,' said Dr Ramsay. Wouldn't this appear as a snub on Mogae when his predecessors have been knighted?
Ramsay does not think so. Most African leaders in the Commonwealth have not been knighted.

Is the knighthood the kind of honour that Mogae  craves for or he does not care about it? Ramsay does not know how his boss feels about it and whether he would regard himself as the odd man out - as the only former Botswana president not knighted by the Queen.

'You must realise that President Mogae has received a number of awards, including the highest in France, which came unexpectedly,' Ramsay said.